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“We are already running out of water after about the third shower in the summer.”
Photo Credit: iStock
What started as a roof leak left one Northeastern family facing more than a roofing decision: a chimney bad enough to remove, an aging gas water heater, and six people trying to get enough hot water for daily showers.
Since the chimney will be cut down below the roofline, swapping the old tank for another standard model is no longer the only question. The homeowners also have to figure out a new venting approach and decide whether a different kind of system makes more sense.
The current setup is already under strain. In the Reddit post, the homeowner said the home’s 15-year-old, 40-gallon gas water heater serves six people in a 1.5-bath house and is falling short: “We are already running out of water after about the third shower in the summer,” the OP said. They added that colder incoming water in winter could make the issue worse.
They were also not enthusiastic about a heat pump water heater. They cited the extra electrical work it might require, concerns about noise near a home office, and the reality of a cold Northeastern climate.
That left two leading options: a Rinnai tankless model or a 50-gallon Bradford White power-vent unit. 
One user said, “If you have the gas for a tankless, go tankless.”
That path isn’t always cheap, though, because tankless installations sometimes require a larger gas line. The OP said they were aware of that tradeoff: “it’s going to be about double the cost but sounding worth it.”
When an older gas water heater loses access to its chimney vent, replacement options often increase. Homeowners might end up considering a side-vented power-vent tank, a tankless system, or an electric alternative such as a heat pump water heater.
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For larger households, capacity becomes the central issue. 
While a standard tank may be less expensive to install, once the stored hot water is gone, everyone has to wait for it to recover. Tankless systems avoid that storage limit, though performance still depends on flow rate, fuel supply, and incoming water temperature.
Some replies from commenters pushed back on the more complex options. 
One user favored keeping the setup simple, citing the chance of losing hot water during outages and the possibility of more expensive repairs later with tankless and power-vent systems.
A full comparison of installation costs can matter more than sticker prices. That means homeowners need to ask whether a tankless unit will need a gas-line upgrade, whether a heat pump model will require electrical work, and whether sidewall venting is possible and code-compliant.
Maintenance expectations can also shape the decision. Some commenters praised tankless systems for their longevity and serviceability, while others favored simpler setups with fewer components.
One user said, “My advice here is ‘keep it simple.’ Areas prone to power outages means when the power goes out to an electric+gas water heater, there goes your hot water. Plus tankless and power vent cost more to repair later on.”
Another commented, “I wouldn’t say bulletproof, but I installed one twenty years ago and only went back when there was a north wind when it was -30° and it soft froze the heat exchanger. Once it thawed out it fired right back up.”
For more on tankless water heaters, one Connecticut family’s heating setup, and alternatives to gas cooking, check out these stories.
• Homeowners can save hundreds each year by switching from tank water heaters to tankless models.
• HGTV host Jenny Marrs made a tankless water heater swap that cut utility bills significantly.
• On 10 Connecticut acres, one family skipped the boiler through winter while homesteading.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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